The Mitsubishi Ki-30 was designed under the direction of Colonel Komamura by Kawano, Ohki, and Mizuno.

The Mitsubishi Ki-30 was the first light bomber to have a two row radial engine, internal bomb bay, flaps, and a constant / variable speed propeller.

The Ki-30 was of all metal construction with fabric over the control surfaces.

Undercarriage

Due to the mid wing design, the landing gear had to have long legs. The original design had retractable landing gear, but due to complexity and added weight it was decided to have fixed legs that included spats.

Prototype

The Ki-30 prototype was first flew on February 28, 1937, by Yamaguchi at Kagamigahara. It was powered by a Mitsubishi Ha-6 (825 HP) engine.

The second prototype had a Mitsubishi Ha-5 KAI engine and was completed by February 1937.

Production

First order of 16 was delivered in January 1938 and in March 1938 it was ordered into production.

Prototypes: 2

Production: February 1937

Service trial: 16

Production: 1937, September 1937 - January 1938

Ki-30: 618, 686

Mitsubishi: March 1938 - April 1940: 618

Tachikawa Army Air Arsenal: 1939 - September 1941: 68

Total: 704

Manufacturer: Mitsubishi at Nagoya (618), Tachikawa Army Air Arsenal, First Army Air Arsenal at Tachikawa (68)

Production: 1938 - 1941, March 1938 - April 1940 (Mitsubishi)

Variants

Prototype: Had Mitsubishi Ha-6 radial 14 (825 HP) engine.

Usage

Japan and Thailand used the Ki-30.

Units

Sentais: 6th, 16th, 31st, 32nd, 35th, 90th

Dokuritsu Hiko Chutais: 82nd, 87th

Vulnerable

The Ki-30 was very vulnerable unless closely escorted by fighters.

China

The first use of the Ki-30 was in China in 1938.

Philippines

The Ki-30s were used extensively in the Philippine campaign of 1942.

Thai Air Force

The Royal Thai Air Force received nine Ki-30s. They used them in January 1941 against the French Vichy forces in French Indo-China.

Suicide Aircraft

Towards the end of World War II the Ki-30s were used as kamikaze aircraft.